Thanks to Beta Stream for the heads up on this one. It's holiday time and your spouse just gave you the Microsoft Windows XP software you've been eyeing for your home computer. Or the two of you gave the kids a new Xbox or one of the new PC games out this year, like Flight Simulator 2002, MechCommander 2 or Zoo Tycoon. Now comes the moment of truth: On the off-chance that your family needs some help installing or using any of these gifts, how are you going to get that help over the holidays? How are you going to keep frustration from spoiling the family festivities?

"Our holiday gift to customers is an unprecedented range of no-charge services and support tools that make it fast and easy for them to get up and running right away over the holidays with their cool new Microsoft products," says Matt Fingerhut, marketing director for Microsoft Product Support Services. "Most customers will install and use their new Microsoft products without the need for support -- but we know that for those who do need some assistance, trying to get that help over the holidays can seem intimidating. Our new range of no-charge support services, including unlimited installation support for Windows XP and Office XP, should help ensure a very merry holiday."